Sounders FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps blog: love ’em & hate ’em

Sounders 0 – 0 Whitecaps

A nil – nil draw that saw plenty of chances late for the winner by both sides, but neither team could push the ball past the goal line.

The best two chances in the game came in stoppage time with the clock ticking at a rapid pace, each team destined for glory, but as the score line states, each team failed in their quest for a win.

Now with only four games remaining for the Sounders, three of which are at home, it’s down to the nitty gritty, as each game is of the utmost importance for playoff seeding.

As the table stands on Saturday night Seattle is 12 points behind conference leader San Jose, 3 points behind 2nd place Real Salt Lake, tied dead even with Los Angeles for third, and sit 10 points up on the 5th and final seed Whitecaps.

Much can go wrong with this team as the season nears its end, but the one thing that may be a positive in all of this is, they sure are getting their losses out of the way now, so hopefully we can actually perform and succeed in the post season.

Love ’em

Break

My goodness the Sounders can turn it on in an instant.

Literally, they were defending against a cluster of Caps players in the 18 one second, and the very next, had a 4 vs. 3 break going the other way with a beautiful ground cross by Mauro Rosales to Brad Evans.

Evans just missed getting to the ball with a diving foot first volley, but to turn it on that quickly really put Vancouver on their back heels for a moment.

This pretty much sums up the battle during this game, but the Sounders did clench a berth with the draw. (photo mlssoccer.com)

G-man

Michael Gspurning wasn’t called on to make too many saves tonight, but his best one was the game saver.

A knuckling shot from Alain Rochat from nearly 30 yards out just about put Vancouver on the board.

But, the big Austrian tracked it, almost perfectly, and put a paw to it, deflecting it away in just the nick of time.

Michael Gspurning has to be the man of the match for this one. He just keeps chalking up the clean sheets for the Sounders this year.

Hate ’em

Lee-ve it alone next time

Late in the game on a corner delivery by Christian Tiffert, Jeff Parke volleyed a ball that was meant for the back of the net.

Just beating the outstretched arms of the keeper, and into the bottom right corner of the net.

But, playing his line perfectly was Y.P. Lee for the Caps.

With a nonchalant kick of his shin, the ball was cleared, and the danger was quelled.

Freddy Just misses

With a minute to go in stoppage time, Freddy Montero found himself with the ball right outside the 6 yard box.

With a clever turn, he beat his mark and fired a laser towards the goal. Game winner was ours I thought, just as the ball was shanked wide right.

This wide shot almost came back to be a bit more relevant than it was, as Camilo Sanvezzo had the game winner on a plate at the other end mere seconds after Montero’s miss.

But, much to the delight of Sounders fans every, Camilo missed, just barely, we’re talking inches, to the left of the net.

The Whitecaps players all seemed to drop to their knees simultaneously when the ball kept rolling past the wide open net.

A very surreal sight actually.

Both these teams gave it their all tonight, and the draw was a very fitting result for the effort these men put fort on the pitch.

Next up for the Sounders the final Cascadia tie with Portland next Sunday. Game can be seen nationally on ESPN.

Scarves up Sounders fans, we’re going to need to be out in full force for this one.